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From the BTDC
Please join the candidates and friends for an evening of conversation and community. Reserve your spot using this link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mbseptember
Carol Groote may have deep, meaningful roots in the Midwest, but this BTDC gem considers herself to be a Jersey Girl through and through. Her political sensibility was born of an upbringing that spanned from Omaha to Chicago, then Iowa to Madison, Wisconsin. Carol is a proud UW Badger and met her husband during her […]
July was an exciting month for sports enthusiasts with the culmination of the 2026 World Cup. Considering Bernards Township’s designation as a Team Base Camp, FIFA presented 200 soccer balls to our community, which in turn were distributed to our local area schools. It’s our hope that the children will get a kick out of […]
Dave Ruhlig became involved with the BTDC with all his heart. He jumped in, feet first, by volunteering with the Hodges and Tompkins campaign last year, intent on supporting local candidates and strengthening community engagement. The father of two, who’s lived in Basking Ridge with his wife and two children since 2021, says, “I believe […]
June is a celebratory month, and our Township has had an abundance of reasons to celebrate. Flag Day at Ross Farm and the Battle of Basking Ridge were both held Saturday, June 13, commemorating our 250th Anniversary and the World Cup being held in the U.S. for the first time since 1994. Flag Day offered […]
The BTDC has just wrapped up its annual Civic Scholarship competition and is delighted to introduce this year’s recipient, Ridge High School junior Rosa Quin, to our local community. The scholarship committee, led by Nicole Pavlin, was charged with evaluating another round of excellent candidates and selected Quin to receive a $1,000 scholarship as well […]
Hello! It’s been a great month for our community, including a sparkling Charter Day when we convened to celebrate the 266th of our Township’s founding and our Nation’s 250th anniversary. The World Cup FIFA 2026 bus amplified the coming tournament happening in our backyard, and the cast of our historical characters brought our country’s semiquincentennial […]
One word describes Nola Hansen more aptly than any other – and that word is community. From years of involvement in her kids’ schools and activities, to a love for her tight-knit neighborhood, and a key operational role at Ross Farm, she brings a warmth and enthusiasm to every cause and person lucky enough to be […]
On January 6, 2026, the Democrats took the majority on the Bernards Township Committee for the first time since 1938, with the election of John Tompkins and Brett Hodges.
Ana Duarte McCarthy (elected in 2023) became the first Democratic mayor, with John Tompkins sworn in as Deputy Mayor (serving a one year term), and Brett Hodges sworn in as Committeeman for a three year term.
Democrats Serving on the Bernards Township Committee
About Us
The Bernards Township Democratic Committee (BTDC) is dedicated to making our town a better place to live and work, and to solving local issues with transparency, balance and compassion. The committee is made up of a diverse group of conscientious and engaged residents: Men and women in our community, representing a broad range, among other attributes, of cultural backgrounds, races and ethnicities, religions, ages, education and professional experience.
We offer Bernards Township another option at the polls for a new perspective on local government. We are dedicated to bringing a balanced democracy and transparency to the Township Committee.